Discover the Oltrepò Pavese

The beautiful region around
Villa I Due Padroni

The approx. 1100 km² of this area are covered with vineyards, small villages, castles and forests. From the flood plain of the Po the hills gradually rise to a maximum height of 1700 meter (Monte Lesima). This provides you with stunning views.

The region is intersected by several rivers and brooks that define the valleys: Valle Staffora, Valle Scuropasso, Valle Versa and Val Tidone.

If you are not in a hurry you can explore the region by:

visiting villages and cities
Enjoying nature and the country side
Tasting its delicious food and wine

Villages and cities

The plains south of the Po are an integral part of the Oltrepò. Still on these plains, but on the foot of the hills of the Oltrpò, there are several small cities such as Stradella, Broni, Casteggio and Voghera where you can find most of the shops and markets.

Among the the many small villages and hamlets of the region there are a number that are more outstanding and worth a visit:

Santa Maria della Versa, a centre of viniculture with its "grapperia" La Versa
the historical city of Varzi, famous for its hand-made 'salami' sausages
Zavatarello, with its medieval castle (open to the public on sundays)
the beautifully restored "borgo" of Fortunago
Salice Terme, a traditional spa with medicinal waters
The small but charming abbey of Sant’Alberto di Butrio in Val di Nizza, with a number of beautiful medieval frescos
The castles of Oramala and Montesegale
and many others

Just next to the Oltrepò Pavese lies the province of Piacenza with its own character, also worth discovering:

Here you can visit many medieval castles and cities like Castell'Arquato, and in his birth place Busseto you will find everything worth knowing about Giuseppe Verdi.

The city of Bobbio is known as the cultural center of the hills of the Piacentina region. Here you can visit the tomb of one of the early 7th century Irish missionaries: San Columbano, and in the river Trebbia you can swim near the medeival bridge. If the kids want more water slide fun, we can recommend the Riverpark of Rivergaro.

Nature

Pavia Province and the Oltrepò region have several nature reserves and protected areas which can easily be reached by car from the villa within an hour, such as:

the nature reserve of the Ticino valley which runs from the point where the rivers Ticino and Po flow together (a few kilometers from Broni), to the Lago Maggiore further north,
the peak of Pietra Corva and its surroundings including the botanic garden with a special collection of alpine plants
the protected area of Monte Alpe
the area around the small ski-resort of Brallo di Pregola